DHAKA: The BBC could face a cut in the TV licence fee or have to share it with other broadcasters unless it rebuilds public trust.

A Tory minister has said, reports the BBC.

Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps told the Sunday Telegraph the broadcaster must be ‘more transparent’ and change its ‘culture of secrecy’.

The current £145.50 annual fee would be ‘too much’ without reform, he said, reports the BBC.

A BBC spokesman said transparency and freedom from political pressure were keys to the BBC’s future.

Shapps’ comments come after negative publicity over pay-outs to top executives and the handling of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

He also mentioned the case of former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall, who is currently serving a prison sentence for a series of sexual assaults on young girls.

BDST: 1842 HRS, OCT 27, 2013
RoR/SRS